Duly Noted

Caught in the act!

2012-02-12T09:45:00.005-06:00

Typically anti-technology in social settings...these photos reveal another story. Okay, so I'll admit it, every once and a while, the ipad can bring joy and intrigue to a gathering. But, it is very rare.

reminders to myself

2012-02-11T08:31:00.000-06:00

*invite friends- new and old- over for a home-cooked dinner.
*practice good table manners as a guest.
*exist as a tourist..even in my own city.
*only keep things that I need or I consider beautiful.
*make something. use my hands.
*try something just a little exotic.
*write something. document.
*Embrace the season.

First Semester Reflections!

2012-01-20T18:52:00.000-06:00

It is an odd time of year for a transition point. Winter break and New Years have passed, and a change of seasons is still far off. Yet, Minneapolis schools proclaims today as the end of quarter 2, semester 1, and I would like to honor it as such.

For twenty weeks now, I have been teaching 9th and 10th grades; a new...and, at times, headache inducing...experience! But, I gotta tell you, these kids are growing on me everyday.

Just last week, as we reflected on Orwell's 1984, a student proclaimed, "I was completely satisfied with the ending of this novel. In fact, I'd argue that we don't read enough of these soul crushing books!" Honestly, I couldn't agree more, kid. Tenth grade is the year of depressing novels so he is in luck.

Why is soul crushing important? I think there comes a time where we really need to look at our world beyond our ipads and snowboarding trips and endless access to clean water. For today's teenagers, this requires the kind of pause that sometimes only a novel can supply. Halfway through 1984, my students realize that we are controlled too...only this time Big Brother is international corporations spending excessive amounts of money on advertising.

This epiphany sets fire among the teens, and suddenly they are writing persuasive speeches about the irresponsibility of the fashion industry as models are digitalized to appear perfect and the possibility of mandating a one child law among all families in order to protect the environment and improve the economy. Although these students' positions and solutions may be flawed (and at times, a little over encouraged), I am so proud of them for thinking outside of the box. It may be my Macalester education, but these are the moments that I hold near and dear as a teacher.

Now, 9th grade is a whole other beast. These kids are an absolute paradox; outrageous and original while being completely concerned with the perceptions of others. Every action looks and finds a reaction...usually a loud one that requires them to sit on each others' laps. That said, whatever I say or do is met with a reaction accordingly, a circumstance in which my inexperience of teaching 9th graders doesn't serve me well. Fortunately, I am beginning to understand what works with these kids...being real ( a novel idea!).

This year, I struggled to find my footing as a ninth grade teacher at a new school. I sought guidance and mentorship among my colleagues. Although this is still very important to me, it's equally crucial for me to listen to my own heart and be real with my students. I am finding that, for me, being real is being really kind and expecting others to be so too, being creative, being happy and positive, bringing my passions into the classroom, and listening to my students (since I know they are always real with me).

Free Spirit

2012-01-08T14:55:00.004-06:00

This is one of my favorite Rachel The Dog photographs of all time. My friend Joan took the photo on one of our longer runs this December, but the photo could've been from any river run I've ever shared with my willful beast. Without hesitation, whenever we pass a wall on a run, she leaps up and runs along it with a huge dog smile on her face. At these moments, I know that Rachel and I are kindred spirits.

New Years Resolutions 2012

2012-01-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

This list mostly speaks for itself. I tried to keep this list short and focused on a few small changes and goals that will hopefully make a big impact. Quality over quantity, folks. I am going to adopt that as my 2012 motto.

Some of you, dear readers, may be alarmed that I included buying matching underwear on my blog, but everyone wears underwear, right? So, it might as well be cute. My thinking is that if one buys a set a month, one would have nearly two weeks worth of matching underwear by the end of the year! That's just fabulous. Now, I'll be honest; I was apprehensive about mentioning this resolution on Duly Noted, BUT after sharing this resolution with several female friends and all of whom except ONE immediately decided that they too would make this a resolution, I felt confident that my readership would understand that this goal is not about being seductive...it's about self-love.

(Duly note: the ONE friend who did not immediately jump on board already knows and enjoys the pleasures of several underwear sets as was revealed as our conversation continued).

1st Run of 2012

2012-01-05T10:06:00.000-06:00

Joan, Anne and I rendezvoused at Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes on a bright but windy January 2, 2012. We decided that we were getting soft due to the abnormally mild temperatures. As is our custom, we discussed every manner of things: dinner parties with dear friends, our loyal pets, weddings we plan on attending, drinking ~~too much~~ wine on New Years, relocating to different neighborhoods, the joys of spin class, how long the ferry takes between Croatia and Italy, the dilemma of unused gym memberships, the plight to finish grad school on time, when we can run together again...

So understandably, even when the fierce wind hit our faces as we headed north around Lake Calhoun and our threesome became quiet in determination, we all agreed that running in the wintertime is totally worth it. The camaraderie required to simply get out of our cozy houses keeps us smiling and warm through the run and, at least for me, invigorated for hours later.

New Year's Eve 2011

2012-01-02T10:01:00.000-06:00

To honor the memories of 2011 (despite a reported 7/10 Americans who claimed that 2011 was a bad year) and welcome in 2012, an old friend and neighbor, Sara, Mike, and I decided to host a Mad Men/Sparkles themed New Year's Party. The night was complete with dancing (thanks to the unexpected hits on the night's playlist alà Mike Vasich), the festive appetizers and treats prepared by the classy hosts and their friends, and the spirits (booze and otherwise) running aplenty.

And not to be forgotten, a post midnight jam session in our basement studio, legible and illegible notes in the guest book as well as some interesting observations recorded on the house typewriter, kisses at midnight, and muffins in the morning.

I feel such gratitude to have such a lovely group of friends- new and old to welcome in the new year.

1st Annual Longfellow Lights Committee

2011-12-18T15:53:00.001-06:00

The Longfellow Lights Committee gathered Friday evening to put the finishing touches our awards and head out into our neighborhood to determine this year's quality light displays.

All members of the committee were filled with cheer including the canines in the party.

We took judging very seriously. Considering all decisions with equal weight.

Our first award, a snowman, immediately fell apart and an air of disappointment filled the crisp winter air.

Fortunately, the judges took the collapsed award in stride and the evening proved to be a success.

Highlights included:

a police officer playing holiday music from his loud speaker so we could enjoy a coordinated music/light three house display
presenting an award to a homeowner in person. She was frightened, then overcome with holiday gratitude.
an on-looker directing us toward a miracle on 34th street. (see video included above).

The evening closed with food and spirits at our favorite local pub, Merlin's. We all agreed that Longfellow Lights Committee is a new holiday tradition.

On my run Saturday morning, I eagerly returned to the scene of the holiday crimes and found that even the fallen snowman remained displayed in its festive glory.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

2011-12-10T17:56:00.001-06:00

Quick films that will make you happy. Well, they make me REALLY happy.

My friend, Sara, linked me to this video knowingly aware of how much I love Christmas pageants.

My husband, with a deep appreciation for my sense of humor, led me to Marcel The Shell.

And...part two:

FOMO on the unconnected/unplugged life...

2011-11-20T09:10:00.001-06:00

The following New York Times article caught my eye this morning: Out on the Town, Always Online by John Leland.

***It is probably crucial to note the the context from which I am reading and analyzing the article. Currently, my tenth grade class is devouring (okay, I am devouring and eagerly promoting the relevance of the book to them) Orwell's classic, 1984. I wish we had enough copies of M.T. Anderson's dystopian novel, Feed, to pair it with, but nonetheless, 1984 certainly stands alone in its creepy correlations with our present day. In John Leland's article, smartphones are one step away from becoming an additional body part. (For Feed non-readers, the characters in the novel have a computer chip in their brains that basically functions as a smartphone but they don't need to type; the chip can read their minds).

Please note the following quotes from the article:

"Mr. Hunt and Ms. Beaudreault resumed their conversation seamlessly, as if the interruption had never happened. Neither minded the lapse in the other’s attention. Within minutes, their thumbs were busy again. “It’s a generational thing,” Ms. Beaudreault said. “I could be out with my friends, and we’re all on our phones, still carrying on the conversation, and it’s not weird to anyone.” For people of a certain technological proclivity, this has become the new multitasking: to live simultaneously in the physical world and in their smartphones, without missing out on either."

On staying attentive in the physical conversation: “You’re passing in and out of consciousness, listening for the key words, the meat of the conversation, but letting the ancillary parts drift off,” he said. “You can miss important details or offend someone by not being present.

"Mr. Cooper, who is starting a data-collection and search site called Hyperpublic, said he did not feel FOMO (fear of missing out), in part because he did not feel left out of an event just because he was not there physically. “I don’t think of what’s here and what’s not here as separate,” he said. “Like I’ll be out with my mom and if I look at my phone, she says I’m being anti-social. I say, ‘I’m being social, just not social with you.’ ”

"For the couple, digital contact is not without romance. He once bought her a bicycle as a present, but instead of surprising her with the actual bicycle, he sent her a text message with a photo of it. She posted the photo on Facebook, kvelling over her surprise. “I go look at her Facebook page and it’s like paying attention to her,” Mr. Hunt said. Did he mean that he felt the warmth of her presence, or that he earned brownie points as a boyfriend? “That’s a good question,” he said. “I don’t know. Maybe something in between.”"

I read this article and I am frightened and depressed. Am I overreacting? The truth is; I am a part of this reality. Here I sit at my kitchen table on a snowy Sunday morning in Minneapolis reading my paper copy of The Sunday New York Times, and predictably, after I finish reading the article (no, after skimming half of the article), I am already grabbing my laptop to post it on my blog so I can share it with my social network. Ah! And wait! There's more! I take a photo from my smartphone to email myself to post on my blog to stress the ridiculous contradiction of this whole picture.

What has the world come to??! I am now logging off to unplug and go running.

A good life...or, at least good sweaters

2011-11-19T08:01:00.001-06:00

Duly note the following:

1. two TWO cozy sweaters.
2. Duffy! He's cute but I prefer my own bearded wonderboy.
3. bonne maman jam collection.
4. oversized straw market bag.
5. having a critical distance. I wonder how a small Minnesota cabin would fare.

Thank Lucy Chadwick for your take on the good life.

A recent purchase.

2011-11-18T06:26:00.001-06:00


Finally found my dream camel coat.

Run to unite 5k: race report

2011-11-06T09:02:00.000-06:00

This race actually happened BEFORE the monster dash half marathon. It was a really unique race for a number of reasons. First off, the race was organized by a Macalester student (a Somali student who graduated from Minneapolis South High School) with support from American Refugee Committee (an organization I feel a special connection to thanks to my inspiring good friend who enacts her passion for refugee rights everyday at ARC). Appropriately, the race was a 5k run/walk to raise money for hunger relief in Somalia. Local organizations and high schools were involved so I saw many a familiar face at the start line on the windy Sunday October morning.

Joan and I decided to run a couple warm up miles over to the University of Minnesota flats on east river parkway. The course was gorgeous; it covered trails and floating walkways along the river road that I had never run on before. Judging from the relatively small number of racers (350 as compared to the thousands I am used to), Joan and I thought we may have a chance to compete to be the first female finishers.

Running around a 7 min pace, we cruised through the woods. The race totally brought me back to xc races at Macalester. I was pushing it hard and I was trying to keep up with Joan. This was total deja vu. My major moment of near collapse occurred when we hit the first floating walkway. Initially, I didn't realize that the walkway was floating! So, I thought that I was FAINTING! The feeling on the walkway felt remarkably similar to when I passed out riding my bike a number of years ago. Fortunately, Joan said something like, "I feel like we are in Disney World! These walkways are crazy..." I felt immediate relief!

At the turn around, we discovered we were in third/fourth place for the women runners, only to follow another woman about our age and a ten year old girl. We thought she was our same arch nemesis whom we encountered at a relay race earlier in the summer, but later I discovered that she was the 5th grade sister of one of my Washburn runners! Hurray! A new recruit! We decided to hold our positions and not let another lady pass us. Sorry ladies. We crossed the finish line as third and fourth. I was exhausted and proud; Joan could've run another mile.

Overall, we had such a great time and I was thrilled to participate in such a cool fundraiser. The energy of the race organizers and all the volunteers made the race extremely special; a reminder that the Twin Cities is a true hub for positive work and change.

Local high school students playing Postal Service on marimbas (or marimba like instruments).

Le Shack

2011-11-05T07:38:00.000-05:00

These images spoke to me and I cut and pasted them into my scrapbook a few months ago. I think its the forest green, the tableclothed picnic table, and the utility sink that sealed the deal for me. I wonder how this cabin would hold up in Minnesota winters. It would definitely need a wood burning stove and a giant pile of fire wood. I think Mike would be pretty excited about an ax and a flannel. Or at least I would be.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/le-shack/

Art in the kitchen.

2011-11-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

A reminder that beauty can happen anywhere.

Monster Dash Half Marathon: Race Report

2011-11-01T17:51:00.000-05:00

Go Big. It was the perfect morning for a PR- dad was visiting, the weather was cool and sunny, and I felt energized and capable. Dad remarked how relaxed I seemed in comparison to other early morning pre-race preparations he'd witnessed. Running a handful of marathons does tend to put other races into perspective. That said, I hadn't really built up this race in terms of any consistent training plan. My fall workout schedule was basically a few short/easy runs, a fast run with my high school runners, and a long run on the weekends. My weekly mileage was around 30 miles on average. This isn't very much for me. Yet, I ran the TC 10 mile a few weekends before the Monster Dash and my time was only a couple minutes slower than last year. So, I knew I could PR if I was ready to accept a little pain at the end. I also knew that it was my last chance before snowfall to hit a half marathon PR. So...why not, right?

Miles 1-3

Mike cheering for me in front of our alma mater!

Easy, fast. I had on my ipod shuffle and I was loving the tunes. This was my first race listening to music; it definitely won't be my last. Running west down Summit is like a reward after running up it during the Twin Cities marathon. This photo is waving to Mike and Dad cheering at Macalester!!!!
My first split was in the vicinity of 8:40. Then, my garmin turned off somehow. I restarted it at the 3 mile mark in case I might want to check my pace later in the race.

Two block shots please??!

Miles 3-6
The familiar part of River Road heading towards the Ford Plant. I felt good. My music died (wah). I didn't check my Garmin for the rest of the race. I knew I was running faster than my usual pace on long runs, so there was no point of freaking myself out (if my pace was slower than expected, I would feel bad...if it was faster, I might slow). I decided to focus on my form, my breathing, and keep up my pace. I saw Dad and Mike cheering on the parkway right after mile 6!

Miles 7-9

Looking for me after mile 9.

I could feel my body getting a little bit worn down, but I tried to not let my mind go there. I kept my pace and focused on not letting this particular heavy footed/heavy breathing woman get too far ahead of me. She was breathing harder than me so I knew I should be running at least as fast as her. Dad and Mike cheered me on a little after mile 9!!!!

Mile 10

Got my shot blocks! Heavy footed lady right next to me. hee.

It was a real crush to the soul when we passed the 10 mile finish line. I tried not to look. I also avoided looking at the pacers and their pace signs. I tried this strategy after feeling really let down at the Madison Marathon when I fell behind my pacer.

Mile 11-11 1/2
Big uphill in the more unfamiliar part of river/shepard road. Also there was horrible angsty singer at the top of the hill. I made a mental note to write a thank you to Team Ortho for the great race minus the 11 1/2 mile band. Oh my lord. I wanted to run faster so I didn't have to listen to the depressing music. I guess maybe that was their intent?

off to finish the race!

Mile 12 to finish.
Slowed down a bit after the big hill but then started to pass people as we headed into the last mile. I didn't pass heavy breather, but I closed the gap and I wasn't far behind her at the finish line. I saw Mike immediately after I crossed the finish. The clock time was 1:51, so I knew I ran a personal record. When we checked the results at home, I was totally ecstatic to see that I ran a 1:48!!! I felt like I really hung in there at the end and gave it my all. I was so excited that my dad was there to see me race!

Finish line!

Sunday at the galleries

2011-10-30T16:56:00.001-05:00

Dad and I visited the Walker Art Museum before he left town today. After doing our best to appreciate some of the more controversial exhibitions (namely, Midnight Party (an investigation of our dreams and nightmares through art), we were about to make a break for the gift shop when a gallery on graphics caught our eye. We decided we better check it out as we both like graphic art and I recently learned that "op" (as in op-art) is a word all by itself (thank you scrabble). The exhibition was hands-on, relevant, and a reminder of all the inventive art that digital media has exposed to audiences. So cool! I jotted down a bunch of ideas for my classroom.

Here is one video that I've seen before but could always see again:

I also really liked Doyle's Identity Guidelines. He created a standard self. Here, he is showing two variations on his standard outfit. As a ninth grade English teacher, we talk about identity quite a bit. A digital version of this piece might be a cool project for them!

YWCA Women's Triathlon 2011 race report

2011-08-14T12:17:00.007-05:00

I now have a triathlon under my belt and I am ready for another! Tomorrow! (No need for concern, I don't actually have another triathlon tomorrow, but I would totally do one if I did.)

Here's how it went (Skip ahead to the last paragraph if you don't want the nitty gritty details):
I woke up at 5am, hit snooze, and then rolled out of bed five minutes later. I had my race breakfast- coffee, oatmeal, banana. I prepped all my stuff Saturday night so I didn't really have much to worry about in the morning. I checked the weather- high of 80 but not until later in the afternoon. Perfect.

I drove myself to Lake Nokomis, biked over to the transition area, pumped my tires and set up my gear in my assigned transition spot. Luckily, my transition area was easy to identify and I was there early enough to get a prime location. My gear included a small towel to place my stuff on, running shoes, tri shorts (with gummies and a mini cliff in the pockets), tank top with number pinned on, sunglasses, running hat, and water bottle. I put my number on my bike and my helmet. I headed over to get marked up: my race number (#101), my age (27), and my wave (heat 3).

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

I had about an hour to toodle around so I walked around the transition area and noted all the entrances and exits for the different legs of the race. I also spied on the elites and checked out their gear and transition set up. They had some cool equipment that maybe one day I will splurge for (if I get more serious about training). I drank half a cup of coffee, used the bathroom a few times, and then dropped a bag of dry clothes off at the bag drop. Unknowingly, I made a good decision bringing a colorful hippie bag. Since everyone else used the same blue backpack that they gave us at packet pickup, the volunteers were able to find my "hippie" bag in record time!

As the fog lifted off of Lake Nokomis, we lined up in our waves (I was in wave 3, mostly 25-30 year-olds). Mike's mom, Carol yelled out my name and cheered! She made it to the start! Here is a view of my heat getting ready:

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

Swim leg:
Ready...Go! I ran a few strides into the water and then started swimming as soon as I could. The water was a delightful temperature: 76 degrees. Wet-suit legal but very few athletes had wetsuits (even the elites). I definitely did not need it in terms of temperature.
Without planning to, I ended up staying on the outside edges of the pack, making it easy to pass people. But, this strategy also added some distance (thus slowing down my time). The swim parameters were big and orange so my only vision issue was due to the sun was reflecting brightly off the water! And we off we go!

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

The swim was over fast and I definitely could've gone faster/longer. I tried to stay swimming in the water as long as possible. When I started to scrape the bottom, I put my feet down and ran out to the transition area.

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

Transition 1: Swim to Bike
I ran on the grass to get the sand off my feet. The transition area was pretty empty at first but I took longer than I would've liked as I put on my shorts, shoes, and tank top. The tank top in particular was a total hassle. I struggled to get it over my head and in the process, I lost a safety pin for my number. (The fact that I put my helmet on first was the likely culprit). Oh well, no big deal in the grand scheme of things. I walked/jogged my bike out of the transition area because I couldn't remember if it was legal to run with the bike. This probably caused me a little extra time too.

Bike:
I hopped on my bike and took off! I was so glad that I used my friend's Claire's racing bike. This baby was fast and super comfortable thanks to Grand Performance Bike Shop. They put on new gears, breaks, chain, handlebar tape, and a new seat. I was rocking and socking.

I ate the cliff bar immediately and tried to drink some water. Now this is where I ran into TOTAL ERROR! I brought along the dorkiest water bottles possible!!!! One was just a plain gatorade bottle with a screw top (Stupid! As if I know how to ride this racing bike without hands!) and the other was this funky pop top bottle from the 1990's. I went with the pop top bottle and just slowed down and swiveled when attempting to chug water from it. Lots of time lost here. Why I didn't buy two simple bike water bottles is beyond me.

The course went by quickly. I kept on the lookout for folks in my age group. When a couple of 30-35 year olds crept up on my at the end of the race, I made a break for it and passed the pack before they could block me out at the transition area.

Transition 2: Bike to Run.
This was a mighty quick transition since I didn't have to change anything except take off my helmet. One woman actually forgot to do this and ran with hers. At least, I hope that was an accident.

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

Run:
The hardest part of the race was shifting from biking into running. My heart rate was up and I was breathing hard. My legs also felt like bricks, as I expected. I spent the first mile focusing on my slowing heart rate, controlling my breathing, and thinking about my form. I told myself "nice and easy" and "save it for the end." At the 1 mile mark, I drank a sip of water and poured the rest on my head. I wasn't really thirsty and I only had two miles left. Not worth the time.

After the water stop, I kicked it up a gear and started to pick up my pace but still hold back a little. Then, at the 2 mile mark, I started to really bring it up a notch in order to pass the women that had kept an edge on me throughout the rest of the race. The last quarter mile was a little of showdown between myself and two other younger triathletes. We all sprinted it in to the finish line...pushing each other down the chute.

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

I saw Mike, Carol, and Milt immediately as headed through the flags. They were so proud! I was glad the run was done, but I recovered quickly and immediately wanted to do the whole race again!

Here are my results/paces:
place overall: 55/958
age/division:
swim: 9:00, 70th place in swim
average per 100 yds: 1:48
transition 1: 2:54
bike: 49:03, 140th place in bike
rate: 19.0
transition 2: 0:54
run: 23:16, 30th place
pace: 7:30
overall time: 1:25:06

Analyzing the results is pretty interesting because I can really tell my weak spots by comparing the different legs among the athletes. Clearly, my sore spot is the bike. I felt amazing on the bike...maybe I wasn't working hard enough! My run time surprised me (I didn't wear a watch so I didn't know my pace until afterwards); running feels very different after biking so I really didn't know what I was averaging.

Full results:
http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_plain_text.php?race_id=20478

Anyway, I am totally thrilled with the results, and I think triathloning just may become my newest passion!

From Square Lake, YWCA tri, aug 12-14 2011

This weekend

2011-08-13T06:51:00.003-05:00

This weekend suddenly became quite eventful:

Mike's parents come for a visit!

Jazz in the Park, Chaska MN
Free popcorn, lemonade, and massages! I signed up quick!

Late dinner at Biella's in the nearby town of Excelsior.

Early saturday morning xcountry practice with my team. Packet pickup for YWCA tri.

Square Lake Music Festival! Orange Mighty wraps up the show with a live soundtrack.

Sunday am: YWCA Women's sprint triathlon! My heat starts at 8:06 am!

Bridges and brick workouts

2011-08-09T14:39:00.003-05:00

Photo from twin cities business mag.

Yesterday night I took my new tricked up road bike (okay, road bike is used but it is now full of new tricks thanks to Grand Performance) on a 10 mile journey to Wirth Park for my trail running club. The bike ride was glorious as the heat has broken and my bum no longer hurts due to the awful men's bike seat.

Our trail workout was also a blast: 1.5 mile warm up, 9x1 minute hill repeats with abs and arm exercises between sets, and 1.5 mile cool down. I love hills. I am weird.

The bike ride home was equally delightful. My trail club coach was heading in the same direction so we biked together as she gave me tips for an upcoming triathlon (she is an ironwoman). After she broke off, I finished the ride and crossed the bike bride in the photo above. I really wanted to take a photo like this one as I was crossing the bridge but I was also dreaming about dinner at the time...But, nevertheless, the evening air was just magical and I fell in love with the Twin Cities all over again. It was about 8pm, the sun was low in the sky and there was a clear view of downtown from the top. This bike bridge must be designed by the same architect who did the freeway bridge in Milwaukee. Ah, a taste of home!

duly noted: bicycles and fresh bread

2011-08-05T17:41:00.008-05:00

(via The Sartorialist)

The Twin Cites are apparently the top bicycling city(ies) in the United States. This label likely stems from our extensive bike trail network connecting the suburbs to urban centers, our hardcore winter riders, and our anarchist do-it-yourself-ers with bike powered pig roasts (no joke, witnessed it myself). Yet, there is something missing in our bike culture.

I feel like the nytimes article, "The Dutch Way: Bicycles and Fresh Bread," gets close to the heart of it.

Author, Russell Shorto writes, "The coexistence of different modes of travel is hard-wired into the (Dutch) culture. This in turns relates to lots of other things- such as bread. How? Cyclists can't carry six bags of groceries; bulk buying is almost nonexistent. Instead of shopping for a week, people stop at the market daily. So the need for processed loaves that will last for days is gone. A result: good bread."

Now this article continues with many good points about geography, urban planning, and social planning, but the connection between bicycles and good bread really strikes a chord with me. It's funny how something so seemingly obvious- when you bike, you must downsize your load- forces me to reflect on my choices and what I consider to be the "good life."

After living in Barcelona during college, I've since yearned for a daily baguette poking out of my knapsack. And for the cup of espresso ordered and drunk at the counter. And for the grocery bag on wheels that the old ladies tote through the city back to their flats.

Would I (could I) trade the comfort and ease of my car for my bike and other forms of transportation? And if I did, what might be some of the unexpected outcomes of this switch?

Summer Running

2011-07-28T13:15:00.002-05:00

This summer's training runs have been more helter skelter than ever. I'm currently training for two triathlons in August- a women only sprint tri in Minneapolis and then a longer, Olympic distance tri in Maple Grove. So, I approached this summer with the attitude that I will run when I need to and focus on biking and swimming consistently.

This plan has sort of worked out. I've been running at least four days a week: two days of trail running workouts with my club and then two days of running with Washburn Cross Country Team as a new coach. This adds up to at least 20 miles of running. However, I have some beef with this schedule. Primarily, I don't get to run as much with Rachel or by my lonesome or with my other best running girlfriends. Thus, I've sneaked (snuck?) in some extra runs to accomplish this. Perhaps as a result (or due to the fact that I never recovered fully from the marathon), my left hip is creaky. I don't like it. It's not painful, it just takes me at least 45 minutes to warm up! I am hoping it is a just a little tendinitis and it will eventually work itself out.

In other news, I attended a race preview ride for the sprint tri at Nokomis Lake. Like I mentioned, it is all female triathlon. I was surprised at the race preview how competitive (okay, downright pushy) the other women were. Most of them were much older than me and more geared out. As soon as we started the ride, all of them scooted so they could be as close to the front of the line of bikes as possible. This seemed a little silly to me and I ended up just bringing in the rear, confident that tides would change come race day (meaning I will not come in last).

The course looks pretty simple with a couple sharp turns on the bike and a couple there and backs on the bike and the run routes. Both of the there and backs are short so I am not too worried about it. The swim course looks simple as well, just one u shaped loop. I think the biggest challenge for me will be the transition area circus. I've heard people put out balloons and bright towels to mark their area for easy finding. I will have to think of something fun to put up!

Monday Morning Swim

2011-07-25T12:54:00.002-05:00

As a teacher, I have the luxury of ten empty weeks. Somehow, I manage to fill up seven of them pretty quickly with camping, coaching, traveling, paneling, and painting. Today, however, I spent Monday morning exactly the way I wish I could spend every Monday morning for the rest of my life. Dramatic? Yes. Sincere? Very.

I baked a batch of millet muffins and drank some coffee. I opened all the windows and let the cool morning air drift through our home. Then, Anna, one of my favorite tri/run buddies biked over and we headed to Lake Nokomis to try out some open water swimming before my sprint tri in a few weeks.

Despite the cloudy water and the ill spread buoys, I felt strong and fast. I really had nothing to measure my speed against, but I imagined coming out of the swim in first place (this will not happen but it was fun to imagine!). The sun was beaming down on the waves and I felt absolutely alive and grateful. Thank you parents for signing me up for swim team at age 6. Highly appreciated.

Now, for some lunch!

Gearing Up!

2011-05-28T08:03:00.005-05:00

It's the morning before the Madison Marathon. Rachel woke me up early and we headed out for an easy 3 mile, a loosening the legs and stretching kind of run. I started "carbo loading" yesterday (including sharing a piece of peanut butter cup cake with Mike!) and I am trying to eat mostly carbs and supplement that with recovery drinks today (plus the coffee I am having now!).

Tomorrow, at this time, I will be 1 hour into the race! Unbelievable! Last night, I tallied the number of miles I have logged over the last 17 weeks in training for this marathon. Guesses?

Okay, I will tell you. Approximately 689 miles, an average of 40 miles a week for 17 weeks. I gotta say, no matter what happens tomorrow morning, I feel proud and ready to race. Looking back on my training, there are many memorable runs- many with amazing runner friends (and dogs!) and some with just me testing my limits, endurance, and spirit.

Tomorrow morning, I plan to wake up with a smile on my face, fresh legs, and an open heart. Somewhere I picked up this mantra and I will use it tomorrow: 1st 10 miles: brain, 2nd 10 miles: body, last 6 miles: heart. Those last 6 are the miles I look forward to the most!

The liner.

2011-05-14T08:53:00.003-05:00

I miss my sister.

Mary Oliver

2011-05-14T08:52:00.001-05:00

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese,
harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

"Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver
from Dream Work
published by Atlantic Monthly Press
© Mary Oliver

Independent Reading To Peak Engagement and Motivation

2010-11-23T15:29:00.003-06:00

Inspired by several educators and colleagues emphasizing the value of authentic student interest in regards to increasing reading volume, I decided to let my students select a book from our media center for independent reading with a little follow-up video production assignment (basically, the assignment works like an advanced version of Reading Rainbow where they can share their tastes and critiques with classmates).

Our class period in the media center went well until I noticed that two of my 11th grade boys selected a variety of books that solely focused on drugs: "Cocaine," "Legalizing Marijuana," "Meth." Great. I felt a little annoyed and a little stuck. Surely, I am not one for censoring books. But, any teacher in their right mind would feel uncomfortable with their students walking down the school hallway carrying a series of books on drugs. Right?! Like, what if we ran into the the principal?! Or the head of the school board? "Oh, this is just for Ms. Vasich's class." Oh man, I can hear them now.

That said, I also recognize that our library has those texts, so they must be approved of by the school system. And, my assignment was to choose books that interested the students. So, to some extent, I put myself into the bind.

In the end, I said that they could check out those "very eye-opening" texts as long as they picked at least one other fiction book that fit my approval. Okay, I hand-selected Catch 22, A True Diary of A Part Time Indian, and A Lesson On Dying.

For you teachers reading this, how would have you handled this situation? Have you had a similiar experience? Please, I need enlightenment!

Sunday evenings

2010-11-23T15:18:00.003-06:00

There's nothing better than whipping up a couple meals for the week ahead (or in the case of this Thanksgiving week, the three days ahead) on Sunday evening. This Sunday I made three recipes:

Squash Risotto w/thyme and goat cheese: This is an old standby of mine. Actually, my friend Rose first introduced me to this dish following a chilly winter run together last year.

Ingredients:
1 cup risotto
1 onion
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups vegetable broth
1 roasted squash (Cut squash in half from stem to bottom, scoop out seeds, and spread some olive oil on the inside. Place on baking sheet covered with tin foil. Roast at 425 degrees until you can stick a fork through the skin easily, take out of oven and scoop out squash from skin.)
2 tablespoons thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Goat Cheese for topping

Procedure:
Saute onion in olive oil until soft and transparent, add risotto. Stir on medium heat for a minute.
Stir in one cup vegetable broth. Stir occasionally. Once broth is absorbed, add another cup of vegetable broth. Repeat until you've used all the veggie broth and it is all totally absorbed into the risotto.

Add scooped squash into risotto. Stir. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir.

Serve yourself a helping and sprinkle a little goat cheese on top!

I also made a two bean soup with kale and a batch of persimmon pecan muffins (both cooking light)! I think the beauty of cooking multiple meals is the fact that you can eat healthy leftovers all week! I love that.

Teacherly blogging challenge

2010-11-22T15:29:00.003-06:00

So in addition to the holiday bootie buster challenge (I know, what a name), I am also partaking in a blogging challenge organized by a couple of fellow teachers whom I spent some time with at NCTE.

The challenge is described here if you feel like joining:
http://alittleleeway.blogspot.com/2010/11/2010-blogging-challenge.html

With that in mind, I received an email from my friendly media specialist, Patty (oh man, do I love her), with the following link:
http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/

The site is filled with ideas, directions, definitions, and tutorials for including media in the classroom. I definitely plan on using some of this material in the near future.

NCTE in Disney World!

2010-11-21T17:44:00.002-06:00

This past weekend, I traveled to Disney World (perhaps my least favorite vacation destination...I am admittedly part snob, part anti-consumerist) in order to attend the National Council of Teachers of English mega conference! Although "consumer world" itself (Mike's nickname) was over-priced and bridged on ridiculous, I did manage to have a fabulous time and not spend too much money. Actually, the price was really right for me as MCTE (the Minnesota division of NCTE) paid for my flight, my gorgeous room, and my conference fee in honor of an award I had been given- MCTE's early career teacher leader. Truly, I was so surprised to have been nominated, and I felt very grateful for the nomination, the award, and the opportunity to attend the conference.

For me, the highlights of the weekend were many. I was absolutely inspired at the sessions I attended on Friday and Saturday. The teachers and researchers seemed to really stress the value of student engagement and motivation, as well as the potential for "real learning" happening in the classroom if the teacher makes it her job to stay current, emphasize creativity, and be reflective. I really needed to hear this after a fall semester focusing on raising reading and writing test scores, and sticking (somewhat) to a more traditional, worksheet-based curriculum. After this conference, the tides are going to change, oh baby!

Other highlights include spending the day in the Magic Kingdom with Mike and just simply enjoying the sunshine together. We were so funny in the Magic Kingdom. On one hand, we definitely had a great time and made a point to get on nearly every single ride. On the other hand, we almost barfed after viewing the "Carousel of Progress" (Walt's white, hetero-normative contribution to the 1964 world fair) and witnessing a unseemly number of little girls dressed in princess costumes with little Miss USA hairdos and sparkly make-up. Oh god. Still, one cannot deny Splash Mountain's awesomeness (along with that of the Haunted Mansion).

Additionally, it was a blast spending time with all the University of Minnesota professors, P.Hd students, and the like. Wonderful ideas, connections, and stories were cruising across Friday night's dinner table!

All in all, a weekend to remember as an "early career" English teacher. The professionalism and intelligence of all the teachers and researchers I met encourages me to place my current teaching into a broader context. I would love to present at this conference one day. I know that research and reflection is the key to improving our country's classrooms.

Boy! I am totally ready to go back to school tomorrow and put all this talk into action.

Thursday Three!

2010-11-04T17:27:00.003-05:00

1. Parent/teacher conference night! This is my second or third high school conference night, and let me just say, its pretty amazing to meet the parents of the teenagers I interact with every day. Most of these parents I never hear from, so meeting them for the first time comes as a surprise. Almost across the board, there is so much love and concern in the parents' eyes. It makes me truly proud to work at this school.

2. Random half marathon: So, um, last night I ran a half marathon, er, or an equivalent of a half marathon without really meaning to. I went for a quick run with my friend and co-worker, Ben, after the school day, and then Wednesday night workouts with the WRC (plus Rachel!). So, yeah, that was a lot.

3. Holiday Fitness Challenge: Lately, I've been getting more involved in the healthy living blogging community. So, I am going to give this challenge a shot as way to stay motivated over the holidays and connect with other bloggers! And, maybe even, win a prize!!!

Three Things Thursday

2010-10-28T15:58:00.006-05:00

Inspired by the "Three Things Thursday" trend as exhibited on the blog Run Girl Run and other healthy living related blogs, I am going to start my own TTT series!

So here's three things for this Thursday:

1. The weather has been totally FUNKY: the morning started dark, cloudy, and wet. Then a snowstorm during my 2nd period English 11 class! As we turned from our books, Their Eyes Were Watching God, to look out the window, I heard one teenage guy gasp, "A Christmas Miracle!" Although he wouldn't admit to the comment later, I found it totally amazing. Now, it's four; I am about to leave school, and fittingly...the sun is out! What a day.

2. Brought some almonds to work today for a snack and surprisingly, they really filled me up and kept my energy going. I always knew almonds were supposed to be highly beneficial, but I had yet to experience the effects myself. I will have to see how they sustain mean during the evening run with Ray the dog.

3. Wearing my new Boden purple corduroy jumper WITH POCKETS! Totally bright and fits perfectly without being overly teacher-y. Paired with boots, brown tights, a grey jcrew turtleneck, and scarf.

Wednesday WRC Run!

2010-10-27T14:38:00.005-05:00

Tonight WRC (women's running collective) is having our first official "gender-blind" workout! We decided that we should take a cue from organizations like the YWCA- aimed at women's health, but accepting of all genders!!! So, all are welcome! That said, I am anticipating it's going to be a small group tonight running hill repeats along the river. Still, I am looking forward to feeling the cool weather turning my cheeks pink and the wet flurries sticking to my hair and skin. As much as I love running in the fall, winter running certainly as a brisk heartiness to it that you can't get on the sunny days. More soon post-workout!

Race Recap: TC 10 mile

2010-10-15T17:53:00.000-05:00

Finishing Time: 1:21:19
Average Pace: 8:08/mi
overall finishing place:1262/7019
gender place: 106/1028
age group place: 382/4313

Yay! This was absolutely an awesome race. I am still smiling as I remember the brisk morning run through downtown Minneapolis to the capital in St. Paul. I was so excited because Carol and Milt Vasich were there to cheer for me along with Mike. They got up so early to drop me off at the Metrodome at 6:30am (the race started at 7!) It was still dark out as they wished me luck!

Over the years, I have learned that a slow start is the best way for me to ease into a race. When I start out too hard, things tend to go downhill (uphill is more like it) about halfway through the race. This summer I have eased into each of my races, and I have ended up feeling great and averaging faster paces overall. So, I have learned to let myself feel it out and hold steady on each incline.

By the time I hit the Guthrie Theater along the west bank, I was in cruise control. The views along the river were mystical, something out of Lord of The Rings. The fog was lifting as the sun was rising.

I saw Mike and family at Franklin Bridge and East River Parkway. It's always pretty fun when you catch sight of your fans before they see you. They were squinting into the sunlight trying to see me, and I basically high-fived them and headed south onto East River Parkway before they even knew what was happening! Mike is actually a super running fan. Seriously, when I describe to my running buddies how many times my husband manages to cheer for me during the course of the race, they are astounded. What can I say? He's a pro, and a truly devoted husband too, I might add.

That's Mike (with my new fancy smartphone) trying to use the tracking device to see where I am on the course.

I was shooting for under 1:30, but I thought it would be cool if I could maintain a speedier pace...faster than my 8:30/mi during the last road half on Aug. 30th. Feeling strong as I headed up Summit Ave, I decided to go for it. Here are my splits for the last five miles:

mile 6: 8:35/mi
mile 7: 8:24/mi
mile 8: 7:50/mi
mile 9: 7:47/mi
mile 10: 7:39/mi

Mile 6 was the steep-ish hill up East River Road onto Summit, and the rest of the miles were just a steady incline up Summit until the last mile downhill to the capital. I don't know what the heck got into me during those last three. Maybe I should have run faster in the middle of the race, but to be perfectly honest, I love having some "juice" at the end. It helps me to hold it together and feel light and easy as I go.

I was super excited at the finish line, and pretty ready to be done for the morning. I am thrilled with the time, and I know this race is just the beginning...

Trail Racing and other running thoughts.

2010-09-30T21:07:00.000-05:00

Some days I am really apt to make this into a "runner" blog. Yet, this inkling tends to get stifled when I think I might become obsessed. That said, blogging provides a really solid opportunity to log progress. I make a quick note of my mileage and sometimes my splits on google calendar, but I don't really analyze my daily running adventures.

To be honest, after the trail half at wirth parkway a few weeks ago, I have been feeling in a bit of a running rut. I am exhausted after work. I always feel better after running; it's a good transition time, but it is so tempting to just go home and lay around after a long day! But, like I said, as soon as I get my legs stretching on the roads, I feel so much better.

I am thinking about switching to an early morning running routine. I need to change it up! I am going to try to get up early tomorrow and see how that feels. 5:30am seems early, but it is worth a shot. Perhaps I will be able to feel more awake during the day and more upbeat at night if I add a morning run in. I'll report back tomorrow!

Here's a photo from the trail loppet a few weeks ago:

If I really wanted to be a true running blogger, I would need to submit a race report. I do need to write one of these up, but I am just waiting until I am in the zone...

3 things

2010-09-13T19:57:00.000-05:00

3 things i love:
jars as glasses
running with rachel
an afternoon soy latte

3 things that make me sad:
saying goodbye
the book, "half the sky"
lost friends

3 things i hate:
can't sleep cause too much coffee
forgetting to update the netflix queue
getting yelled at when running...

Cake Bar! Quite The Crowd Pleaser!

2010-08-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

Running Report With Joan.

2010-08-14T12:21:00.000-05:00

Just trying out my new "small wonder" video cam. The weather has been stinky hot these past few weeks in Minneapolis. I don't mind too much anymore...now that I have my poison oak under control. Eek! Small price to pay for an amazing honeymoon. :)

Ta Da! A little something.

2010-08-11T07:33:00.001-05:00

Slowly getting back into the groove after wireless and incredible ten day honeymoon. Over the next weeks, I will provide a smattering of glimpses into our magical and love-filled wedding week!

Custom-made clutches courtesy of AtelierEdytaLoukia on Etsy. The silk flowers matched the bridesmaid dresses perfectly!

(Sunglasses courtesy of Urban Outfitters!)

Little Bridesmaid Treashures

2010-07-20T18:49:00.000-05:00

What could it be??? TBA! (And, yes. Do pronounce "Treashures" with the "H." It is much more delightful that way).

night before the crowds fly in!

2010-07-18T20:17:00.000-05:00

After an early morning 14 miler with some friends who are training for the Twin Cities Marathon, I gave myself a little pep talk and headed off to do ERRANDS! Woot. The best kind - paper shopping and grocery shopping ala trader joes. One of the best thing about Trader Joe's is the line up of enticing flowers at the entrance. I am typically pulled to the bright colored blooms, but today, I eyed a smart lady pick up a bushel of eucalyptus and a bundle of lavender. Brilliant! I grabbed a few packs and filled several vases around the apartment. I haven't left the apartment yet, but I am hoping that when I reenter, the wild branches will bring me back to running Owl Trail along the Pacific coastline.

Later in the afternoon, Mike and I rearranged furniture and CLEANED! Our wedding entourage (ie. friends and family) begin arriving tomorrow! We actually had a pretty nice time of it. And, the apartment looks just lovely if you ask me. We spent our last night as an unmarried couple (without an entourage) drinking rum and cokes and eating grilled salmon, summer squash, and green salad. The veggies all came from our CSA! Seriously, we have a "mini-share," and we cannot make it through all the vegetables. Way to go ploughshare farm.

So, really, all's well here. We are going to take Rachel the Dog Vasich for an evening stroll and then work on some projects.

A running update

2010-07-14T17:13:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, I attended my first trail running club practice! I was tentative at first; I wasn't sure about the concept since I have never joined a professional running group. However, after the first practice, I really think I'm going to like it. First off, it's awesome to run trails when someone else (ie. coach) is keeping track of where we are running! Secondly, it's motivating to run with other people (the club is open to all ages and pace groups). I tend to run a little harder and accept tough workouts as challenges instead of hurdles to finish as fast as I can.

Our first run was an easy 4 miler on the Theodore Wirth trail system. Most of the practices will meet there. There isn't much to say about the run itself...but I must voice how much I adore the trails! Not the bike trails, not the running paved trails, the REAL THING. I CRAVE the sensation of leaping over a fallen tree and turning fast corners. I like the terrain, the hills. All of it. I am looking forward to some longer runs...

Anyway, this running club thing is pretty darn cool. As for the women's running collective, I have to get back on the organizational bandwagon. We do need to make some changes for next year if we want to keep it going...maybe I should call a meeting/run? I think it would be awesome if we met more regularly, chose some key races together to train for, and broke into different pace/distance groups. This might help keep folks accountable. It's a great idea...just needs more commitment (from me as much as anyone else!). But we are an "award winning" group (ha, neighborhood award...) so that must mean something!

Fearless Baker

2010-07-13T07:52:00.000-05:00

An incredible berry custard pie crafted by a beautiful, fearless friend.

July Cabin Overnight

2010-07-12T16:15:00.001-05:00

A little parcel from Grandma

2010-07-12T16:08:00.000-05:00

Handmade clutch by a designer in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. So pretty!

Bridal Hair Sneak Peak!

2010-07-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Inspiration: Heidi meets Midsummer Nights Dream.

I haven't kept track of where these photos are from...please identify if in the know! My guess is that most came from this quirky, fabulous Flickr group: Braid Wednesday.

Simple and feminine, braids evoke the pastoral with a touch of whimsy.

Up North

2010-06-29T09:01:00.001-05:00

An amazing trip with family and friends to the boundary waters to start off summer.

Utilizing All Spaces!

2010-06-09T06:33:00.000-05:00

Our very first CSA share. Lots of salad greens of all varieties. So far, we've all the spring greens, romaine, oakleaf lettuce, and arugula, but the bok choy and some other kind of spicy lettuce is awaiting the proper recipe. Suggestions?

As a former CSA farm intern and a ranch intern, I have some wild notions about the need to wash vegetables immediately. The way I see it is that if you wash and dry right away, and then store in inviting fridge containers, you are more likely to grab that bucket of lettuce and run with it. Alas, without a salad spinner, the washing and drying process calls for some creativity.

Later that night, wedding invitation assembly and addressing! Mike assembled, I addressed. What a team. Since I used pretty wet ink for little heart stamp on the envelope, the final invite package needed drying space as well. Again, with no tables left to cover due to the greens amounts, further inspiration was required.

I will post the interior invitations and rsvps in the future!!! Thanks to Elizabeth Tjepkema for her beautiful craft(woman)ship. All the envelopes and invites are hand screen printed and designed by Liz.

Naperville Bridal Shower

2010-05-26T06:42:00.000-05:00

Beautiful, Pennsylvania Dutch themed shower invitations created by my soon-to-be family!

Baka's array of Serbian cakes and desserts. She is incredible. All transported from Milwaukee to Chicago the morning of the shower.

Crate and Barrel sunny apron!

Max, the family dog, models Rachel's new dog camping backpack. He's jealous.

Falling into place...

2010-05-15T09:56:00.001-05:00

Well, things are certainly on the up-swing wedding-wise! The checklist is starting to focus on details instead of the central drivers. Just this week, we met and contracted the most natural fit photographer, Scott Streble. His studio is in Northeast Minneapolis in this great old warehouse. Mike and I had quite an adventure figuring out the freight elevator. From his massive PEZ wall to his candid, photo-journalist style, it was immediately clear that Scott fit the bill.

And! After waiting four months, my wedding dress arrived! And yes, it is as gorgeous, more gorgeous, than I remember. The ladies at l'atelier couture are just lovely. This is the precious e-postcard I received last week:

Also, new bridesmaid dresses...
Pansy for my beautiful bridesmaids:

And, wisteria for my lovely sister:

Okay, and just so you are convinced that I haven't fallen headfirst into the over-the-top world of wedding planning, I am sharing with you a quite hard-core (well, about as hardcore as I get...okay, except maybe my cliff jumping/abseiling days) image from my last half-marathon at the end of April. I PR'd, but I almost lost my soggy shorts due to massive rainfall.

DigMe at Carleton

2010-04-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

So proud of my students!!!!!

Pennsylvania Dutch Invite Sketches

2010-03-07T09:47:00.001-06:00

I love the Pennsylvania Dutch aesthetic. As the child of two born and raised Pennsylvanians (and two sets of grandparents), the designs appear on family birth certificates, family trees, marriage certificates, children's benches, quilts, and hope chests. So, obviously, for me, these designs represent family, tradition, trust, and stability. I would really like to incorporate some of the symbols and designs into the wedding.

Here's two sketches that I've been working on for the invitations:

thoughtful reminders

2010-02-20T07:34:00.000-06:00

This morning, these words of inspiration were in my inbox from my favorite yoga center in the Twin Cities, One Yoga.

Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is more destructive?

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness is depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;
Rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.

-Lao Tzu

Excerpted from the Tao te Ching Ch. 44

valentines

2010-02-15T15:42:00.001-06:00

athletic goals

2010-02-11T11:26:00.000-06:00

I am a sucker for athleta and title nine catalogues. I love the photos and supporting captions: triathlete, vegan cook, and full-time mom. Decidedly, these titles don't truly capture the whole woman, but they do manage to inspire me to live up to my full potential. I can see it now~ Molly: high school teacher, marathoner, x-country coach. Ha. Oh dear.

Regardless if Title Nine calls me in for a photo op, I am setting some new goals for this upcoming running season.

1. Run a sub 2hr half marathon; shoot for a 1:45!
2. Be more consistent with weights and x-training.
3. Get Women's Running Collective back on track! (We've been doing some casual x-country ski outings, but its almost time to get serious about running again).
4. Try to amp up mileage to between 100-120 miles a month. (I've been doing around 85-90 miles on average).

We'll see on this goes over...

My first half of the season is April 26th. It will be fun because my high school has a team! There are only a few of us teachers running the half (as opposed to the 5k or 10k) but it will be great to see familiar faces!

My 10 week half training kicks into gear next week! Currently, I am just building up mileage and working on extending the weekend long run. Rachel the dog has been enjoying getting outside with me on these wintery days. I am so lucky to have my enthusiastic running buddy. She smiles the whole way.

Official Save The Date

2010-02-06T10:32:00.001-06:00

After several versions and brainstorms of the "perfect" save-the-date card, we decided to go with friend and artist, Liz Tjepkema. We sent her a couple photo booth images taken just before our engagement. I also forwarded a few pictures of Pennsylvania Dutch design, a style that I hold near and dear to my heart thanks to Pennsylvania-German family roots.

Here's the final result:

I am hoping to incorporate some of the themes from simple Pennsylvania Dutch design- hearts, birds, and flowers- into the wedding invitations and other printed event needs (menus, programs, placecards). I will share some Pennsylvania Dutch inspiration soon!

bridesmaid accessory ideas

2010-01-30T09:00:00.001-06:00

Told ya. Wedding. Here is what I am imaging re: accessories.

And, I think for my sister (shhh)...

All jewelry from Anthropologie. Sale or no sale, a bit pricey...but at least for that necklace, I don't think I could find that anywhere else.

Perhaps I will check the local vintage stores for rings, earrings, and bracelets. Ooh...and clutches with broaches. I will report back.

Let me know your suggestions!

for better or worse...

2010-01-22T07:16:00.000-06:00

I've been inspired to get blogging and writing again. This is likely an effect of following some lovely blogs AND attending a reading or two at our local bookstore. The catch is that ya'll need to be prepared for an onslaught of wedding-related posts! For the next six months! Can you deal?

For those non-wedding fans, whomever you be, I will make an attempt to throw in some other toodles, ideas, and happenings...but I am just warning you.

Let's start with bridesmaid dresses. I am planning to have three lovely ladies attending (me?) at the ceremony (and truly, the weeks leading up to it!). We have been in the midst of choosing the bridesmaid dress for the past couple of months. I think we've settled on one...let me know your thoughts!

Also, please duly note, my wedding dress has been purchased, and although this might be a crucial bit of information when considering the appropriate bridesmaids dresses, I am hoping to surprise a certain someone. So, on this blog, it will not appear. Ho hum. Let me say that it is ivory, lacy, form-fitting, and shows some skin...Ok, that's it!

Here is the bridesmaid suite of dresses:

I adore the combination of grays and purples together; a color theme that I think will pervade the celebration. I am a little unsure that the dresses aren't fancy (?) enough and there was the concern that they aren't too form fitting either...but, it's a July wedding and the silk chiffon paired with the flowiness of the dress will certainly feel wonderful in the late afternoon sun. And, let us not underestimate the power of a short, fun dress while DANCING!

So, imagine these dress on three beautiful brunettes with showstopper vintage jewelry.

Okay, thoughts please.

Simple Questions

2009-12-17T11:34:00.000-06:00

1.Where is your phone?
In my bag

2.Your hair?
pulled back into a pony tail

3.Your Mother?
miss her

4.Your Father?
miss him!

5.Your favourite food?
hummus and carrots

6.Your dream last night?
deep sleep last night.

7.Your favourite drink?
coffee

8.Your dream/goal?
love and be loved

9.What room are you in?
south high school media center

10.Your hobbie?
running and knitting

11.Your fear?
falling apart

(12. is missing)
13.Where were you last night?
home

14.Something that you're not?
a pessimist

15.Muffins?
raisin bran

16.Wishlist item?
a house (ha!)

17.Where did you grow up?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

18.Last thing you did?
made a powerpoint for class

19.What are you wearing?
jeans, cardigan, oxford, clogs, big ring

20.Your TV?
dusty

21.Your pets?
Rachel the dog Vasich

22.Friends?
adore them

23.Your life?
so blessed

24.Your mood?
just fine

25.Missing someone?
only with warmth

26.When was the last time you laughed?
within the hour

27.The last time you cried?
last Friday, after giving a student a referral; don't worry, I cried after class was over.

28.Your best friend?
my sister even though we are so distant these days

29.One place that I go to over and over?
school, seward coop, the gym, my happy apartment.

30.Facebook?
it's okay

31.Favourite place to eat?
cozy cafes

Dreaming of "The Top Ten..."

2009-08-21T10:33:00.001-05:00

I had my very first dream about blogging last night. I think my classroom planning is catching up on me.

Basically, I dreamed I should include a consistent post on "The ten best...." or "Top Ten things..."

So...loyal to my dream, I will give this idea a whirl:

My Apartment Top Ten:
1. the huge console record player
2. the nice light in the living and dining rooms
3. the window in the shower
4. my mint green typewriter (types in cursive, amazing)
5. an Ormond Gigli fashion framed poster I found at Savers
6. my humble but ever-inspiring cookbook collection
7. a third generation couch that is retro AND unexpectedly comfy
8. the back porch (perfect for summer suppers and breakfast)
9. the old farm sink
10. a funky hand-made lamp shade

Running buddies!

2009-08-11T20:47:00.001-05:00

I mentioned in my boyfriend-away event run-down that I finished a half marathon with the help of some of the women from Women's Running Collective.

It's too bad the number on my friend on the left isn't showing in this picture. Somehow, this crazy girl got "69." I mean, really, how did she manage that??? We asked her if she requested it, but she claimed that she hadn't. Incredible.

To update ya'll, the WRC is going strong! We've been doing great at monthly run/brunch, but our weekly night runs have yet to truly blossom. For example, last Thursday, I was the only one on time. Returning my solo run, I realized that my cell had a missed call from a couple stragglers...Soooo, we enjoyed a refreshing post-run DQ. Hey, if you can't run with em', you might as well enjoy the benefits of some major calories someone burned, right?!

Still, the WRC has encouraged some small group running on a spontaneous basis. In fact, that brings me to describe run I did yesterday with my hardcore/hilarious friend. You might not be surprised that this is the same friend whose number was 69 on half marathon day. Anyway, we decided to go for a 7-9 miler. Next to the river, through the city, past the Gutherie, over the stone arch bridge, through U of MN campus, back over the river to home, the run was beautiful but challenging due to the hills. Thanks to my friend, we also pushed the pace pretty hard (though she'd probably say that I was the pace-pusher). Anyway, it was the kind of tough run that leaves one feeling damn good. Thank god for resilient, talented friends that'll stick with you to the finish line.

My Baby's Coming Home

2009-08-11T20:43:00.001-05:00

To meeee!

My first homemade cake! Ever! Mollie Katzen's Mexican Mocha Chocolate Cake in Vegetable Heaven. Hopefully, the taste will live up to its cuteness. I'll find out soon!!!

An Unplanned Affair: Dress Shopping

2009-08-11T20:31:00.000-05:00

Two black dress finds. I am serious when I say the best time to shop for something is when you are not looking for it. Truth.

I adore this black lace cocktail dress! For weddings and fancy dates.

This plain black dress with the bolero is Calvin Klein (50$). I imagine dinner parties on summer nights, Jackie O look-alike contests, and practical conferences/impractical days in the classroom.

On My Lonesome! But not too lonely

2009-08-11T08:42:00.001-05:00

For the last 20ish days, Mike has been traveling the west with Orange Mighty Trio. As professional musicians, touring is incredibly important because, as I understand it, there is no better way to get your name out there, grow a fan base, and make a few dollars while you're at it.

Touring goodbyes have always been tough for me. A committed adventurer of sorts, the lifestyle of the touring musician has generous appeal: new places, new people, fresh perspectives. Yet, at this point in my life, I've needed to stay home. Over the last couple years, I've realized that, if we are going to last, I would need to make peace with the idea that Mike will continue to tour and travel for as long as he can! I can deal with that reality if I discover and create passion in my own work, projects, and daily toodling.

As Mike returns home with a list of wild stories and inspiration, I can also look back on the last weeks and offer some of my own:

-Canoeing seventeen miles down the St. Croix with three girlfriends, two dogs, and an amazing array of fresh food.

-2 music and movies picnics at Loring Park

-Completing the Urban Wildland Half Marathon in 2:02:18 with a good friend and solid running buddy by my side.

-Treating myself so 4ish DQ ice cream cones (medium, vanilla) and 1 amazing Sebastian Joe's cone (oh man...what was that flavor??)

-2 hardcore runs with the most fun, tough, and hilarious runner out there. More on this in future post...

-1 short (!) haircut

-Dinner with my lovely downstairs neighbor at Midori's Floating World Cafe. A not very adventurous sushi eater, I ordered my ol' standby, the California Roll...needless to say, I was perfectly satisfied.

-A successful shopping trip. Of course, I bought fancy dresses instead of work clothes...more on this in future post...

-An unreasonable number of walks and runs with Rachel. In fact, it seemed that each time my mother called, I was (surprise) out walking with Rachel. Rachel was the BEST company ever these last weeks (except for the night of the awful thunderstorm...)

-planning and beaming over the exciting lessons I'll be teaching this fall!

So, as my hardcore/hilarious runner friend put it, "You've learned that you can live without Mike." Actually, that's not my point at all. The point here is: I have learned my passion(s) in life extend beyond my relationship, as they should! Further, I can take care of myself and bring joy to my own days. And, to be honest,this wasn't always true.

I believe someone wise once wrote/said, you cannot truly love someone else, until you love and accept yourself. The best love is one that is not possessive or needy, but comfortable and sure. Judging from my own journey, I'd say that's about right.

Grandma's Vintage Suitcases

2009-08-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

For better or worse, in recent months, there's been a familial infestation of relocation. (Sounds like an epidemic, doesn't it? Clearly, my current read, Tracey Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains, an account of the internationally renowned doctor, Paul Farmer, has had some bearing on me...linguistically if not career-wise.) But, alas, it is true; underlying individual motivation aside, the challenge of reestablishing roots is nearly habitual in our tribe.

It seems only proper, then, that my mother put aside my Grandma Jean's yellow suitcase set as she cleaned out the fortress of stuff (many treasures, I'll admit) lodged in my mom's childhood home in Pennsylvania. Knowingly, my mom thought I'd appreciate the suitcases (the train case in particular) as I've always been fond of "playing olden days" (a phrase coined by my sister and I as young girls).

In transit from my parents' new home in Cleveland, my boyfriend toted the set across the country to our home in Minneapolis. Such a respectable journey (one of many...I imagine Grandma Jean used the suitcases throughout her own travels) certainly warrants a place of recognition. Determined not to hide their mustardy yellow glean, initially I tucked the suitcases on the floor...maybe a side table??

Unconvinced, I stacked the suitcases on a true side table to give them some height. I considered opening the train case and pinning vintage postcards and old scarves around the mirror. As I looked around for something that would fit the bill, dearest Mike suggested putting the jade plant inside! Brilliant! Propped on top of some Harry Potter, the plant seems very happy.

So, until I can use Grandma's suitcase set for a long train ride out west (and don't you think that'll never happen...the yellow train case is motivation enough alone), I think the suitcases will be pretty happy in their prominent, new home. The suitcase set is a honest reminder that the concept of home is really a psychological one; a part of Grandma and mom's house on N. Hills Blvd lives with me each day.

Farming for Pizza

2009-07-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

Far from the reaches of modern day advertising and supermarkets, this little Wisconsin farm finds success (and JOY) in a weekly pizza night. All pizzas are created from local ingredients (except the olives...although these are local enough for me since they were attained at Bill's Imported Foods on Lake Street- a treasuuure of the cities. Be warned- cash only) and cooked over a wood fire brick oven. Folks are invited to wine and dine on their grounds after ordering.

Tuesday night, my former college roommate, the sweet as honeybees- Hannah, Mike, and I made the country trek. A couple hours and many gravel roads later, we found ourselves in this lovely oasis. For us, half the thrill was greeting our good friends and now "farm hands" out in the country. Betsy took our orders as Andrew prepped! They are out there all summer long...maybe more. For me, visiting the farms certainly nurtured second thoughts about farm living.

Tomato Season

2009-07-14T08:19:00.000-05:00

This mid-July lunch reminded me of the days on the farm when I carried a salt shaker in my overalls in case I found myself in urgent need of a juicy tomato pulled straight off the vine.

WRC: Women's Running Collective

2009-07-12T14:08:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty lucky to have some fit, athletic lady friends that need some running buddies as much as I do. This morning, we had our first collective meeting (although, truth be told we did more running, eating, and chatting than "meeting" but that's the point right?!). It was very relaxed; we did manage to pull together some suggestions for the future of the collective however. Ideas included night runs, races (in which we would sponsor a women's health non-profit, girls' sports causes, etc), and once a month run and brunch. So a very successful first meeting. Best of all, the women who came to the meeting are totally inspiring individuals and amazing friends. That's really the best news of all.

Also, if you read this, are female, and like to run...and live in the twin cities. Shoot me an email and I will get you on the list serv.

Future running goals:
-TC Marathon 2009
-Urban Wildland Half Marathon: Aug. 1st
-Some kind of trail race...I am IN LOVE with running in the woods. Absolutely head over heels. The kind of running that frees my soul.

Wedding Lanterns

2009-07-11T12:31:00.000-05:00

My crafty, industrious friend Callie is currently in the process of making many paper and basket reed lanterns for her wedding. It's quite an ambitious project. Although she's been leading the effort, several of us girlfriends having been gluing paper and forming animal frames here and there.

Here's some shots of the dragon lantern we were working on the other night.

On wedding night, the lanterns will be lit up by candles inside of wire-hanging bell jars secured within the lanterns. I told Callie she better hang on to these for my fantasy wedding someday.

Making of Infrastructure Video

2009-07-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are some stills of the making of Orange Mighty Trio's first music video for their new album, Infrastructure. What a funky looking word. Joe and Kris Swanberg, independent filmmakers and our good friends, directed and filmed the shoot in sunny Chicago. In spite of a few piano-moving mishaps (okay only one really- a piano toppling in the moving van that occured within in one mile of leaving Mike's house en route to Chicago!), the band and crew had a blast.

There were some beautiful shots of Zack on the roof of Joe and Kris's building but unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me. Kris also has a successful little rooftop garden. The basil plants seem very happy as they look out on the cityscape.

Happy fourth!

2009-07-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

This fourth, Mike and I are on our way to Naperville to visit the Vasich fam. Our parents are in tow on interstate 294 headed south after a night in Milwaukee watching fireworks down at the lakefront with old neighbors. Highlights from our Milwaukee rendezvous-

*Lunch at an small outdoor bistro in the third ward (man, I would definitely live in that district if we were in milwaukee. So cool.)
*breakfasts at the mueller's- fresh fruit, scones and cinnamon rolls, coffee, and guava juice
*dinner at a new "french" restaurant in wauwatosa
*a fabulous green dress

Previous to our Milwaukee jaunt, Mike and I spent more than a few days in the Chicago area. Although I plan to blog more on a few of these experiences soon, here are some brief highlights-

*rooftop Orange Mighty Trio concert in Chicago proper
*multiple graduation parties
*36 hole mini golf extravanganza
*cool evenings playing bags out on the Vasich patio
*shopping with Mike's cousin Diana
* learning the prowess of a wine airator (sp?)
*running along the Naperville nature reserve path

A lovely trip! More details will follow soon...

I love you DAD!

2009-06-21T12:03:00.001-05:00

About to leave for my freshman year at Macalester College! Dad packed the red van to the brim and we drove from Milwaukee to St. Paul, MN. It was a hard goodbye for both of us, but perhaps a bit more bittersweet for Dad.

In Tuscany!

At my friend's cabin for my 22nd birthday!

Christmas at Stickney Ave with Caroline and Rachel the pup.

Seasonal breakfast switch

2009-06-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

For the last six months, I started the day with a bowl of hot cereal with raisins and a cup of coffee. As the humid heat of Twin Cities summertime sets in, stirring bubbling grains on the stove is pretty much the last thing I want to do. Never fear! I acknowledge breakfast is the most important meal of the day! (I learned my lesson a couple years ago when I fainted on my bicycle on the way to work...take note.) So, now, yogurt, fresh fruit, and a sprinkling of granola greets me each summer morning. Refreshing and pretty, I must say.

Anniversary!

2009-05-31T13:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Mike and I celebrated two years together in the Twin Cities. Two years ago, I took the red-eye from San Francisco to Minneapolis to Mike's home. To tell the truth, there haven't been any journeys or transitions that have felt more natural to me than that one.

We shared a beautiful, sunny day together drinking coffee (the new french press Mike bought me as a "treaaasure" for finishing the Cleveland marathon), buying fresh food at the coop, and taking Rachel to the Minnehaha dog park. Last night, we went out to dinner at a cozy Italian place and walked around the St. Paul neighborhood. To our amazement, we came across quite a menagerie of new life! Quite the omen for a wonderful future together!

Dear love, you make my days so happy.

Briefly...a remodeled chicken coop comparsion

2009-05-24T11:34:00.000-05:00

First, a lovely chicken coop that my friend and I lodged in while interning at Common Harvest Farm in Osceola, Wisconsin.

Interior Pictures:

The second set of pictures I discovered on Katy Elliott's Blog.

New illustrations

2009-05-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

This was a new sketch for my friend's birthday present!

An older drawing of a regular daydream of mine.

la ti dah...i want to go outside

2009-03-21T16:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Things

running in the sunshine
baking (and eating) homemade bread and muffins
big sweaters
early morning walks and jogs
my blue raincoat
swimming in lakes
MIKE
dresses
bulletin boards
ripped jeans
hip sunglasses
coffee
seward coop
soft pretzels
red vines
fresh flowers
playing scrabble
getting a handwritten letter
writing and sending a letter
phonecalls from faraway friends
rachel
a good book
riverview movie theater
the farmer's market
may day parade
singing
my dad

Spring!

2009-03-08T10:53:00.000-05:00

I have been counting the days until we are blessed with some extra light. Although spring doesn't arrive in the Twin Cities as sharply or dramatically as it might in, say, Pennsylvania or California, there are a few subtle signs that warms a Midwestern heart. For one, the seasonal hockey rinks turn into slush and mud (note, I didn't write ice hockey rinks...in Minnesota, hockey is hockey for peet's sake). At the offset, melting hockey rinks make me feel a little sad; the hockey season is brief! But, as the tough ground slowly peaks through, well, I'm reminded that frisbee, softball, and picnics are around the corner.

What else marks spring here? The bald eagles return! Our downstairs neighbors, Sherry and Anna, are the resident bird experts so I need to talk to them about this! (Even Mike, Mr. Animal Behavior, admits their expertise.) Yesterday, Mike reported spotting two bald eagles swooping low as he was driving over the Lake Street Bridge. Then, I remembered, humblest birder that I am, that I spotted TWO BALD EAGLES as I was running on the east side of the Mississippi(the same eagles as Mike's perhaps?! probably not...gotta talk to Sherry and Anna). My eagles were flying so low that their enormous shadows followed me as I picked up my pace. Discussing our respective spottings, Mike announced that this is just about the weekend that bald eagles migrate. So I gotta keep my eyes peeled! (Yup, that was a Pippi Longstocking quote.)

On lesser notes, Rachel began molting last week. The first local crops (mainly asparagus) pop up. And...I guess nothing else much happens until that first warm day hits. Truly, that is really the best day (besides May Day and the Twin Cities Marathon) to be in Minneapolis and St. Paul. We are SO HAPPY. The long winter seems nearly worth it...

The heart of the matter is...the weather here is not the greatest. Yet, the Twin Cities feel like home to me.

La Vie Boheme

2009-01-16T12:13:00.000-06:00

Nearly a week after our return to the bitter cold, the chill leaves you chapped and achy (or never leaves you at all), I dream about our sixteen days wrapped in the warmth of Nicaragua's sunshine. Truly, I cannot imagine a more ideal event to close bittersweet 2008.

Mike and I spent the last hours of the year reminiscing (and swimming) at San Juan del Sur's popular harbor beach. Amid a soccer tournament and a dog promptly urinating on the tower of a boy's finished sandcastle (I could not invent this- the boy's gasp and pout was utterly picturesque), we toasted our rum and cokes (real coca cola to Mike's infinite pleasure) to the joyous and less than joyous moments of the passing year. To Obama (goes without saying, of course). To our first year as dog owners, to Rachel. To grad school, electronic music, Orange Mighty Trio, marathons, home cooked dinners and sunny breakfasts. To a room of one's own (sorry Mike) and the brief but satisfying discovery of cable television just as Michael Phelps sprinted to victory (our foray as non-paying TV viewers ended soon after). To letters, to books, to games, to music, to our loving friends and family.

As we smiled at stray dogs and watched sea envelop the sun's crest, life and love was visceral and complete.

writerly conversation

2008-12-09T19:25:00.000-06:00

I've been reading the biography of Virginia Woolf written by her nephew, Quentin Bell. I highly highly recommend it to those fond of Ms. Woolf, or to those who simply enjoy reading about the lives of artists and writers as I do. Whenever I pick up the lovingly detailed story, I am immediately swept away into 1910's, 1920's...The friendly Thursday night gatherings of the Bloomsbury group stir within me yearnings for stimulating conversations about literature, art, and music...complete with cigarettes, pipe smoke, and apartifs...and a gramophone! A time long past? Alas.

Several other books take my imagination to this same vivid place...A Movable Feast, and more recently, The February House. I get on these kicks...Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Fitzgerald...and then Carson McCullers, W.H. Auden, Gyspy Rose Lee! (She wrote a murder mystery novel about Burlesque dancers!). Oh remarkable. Will our culture maintain these pivotal groups of writerly conversation and revolutionary ideas?? I hope so..I do. And sad to think that we will never read collections of letter correspondences...collections of emails? Maybe.

thanksgiving with family

2008-12-09T19:22:00.001-06:00

I wish we all lived closer...

How to keep pink cheeks in the winter time...la ti dah.

2008-12-05T13:43:00.000-06:00

Holy hooligans, it's been a while! Winter has settled in here in the Twin Cities. The sky today is perfectly white, the trees are naked but for the pines and a few stubborn maples, and the ground is brown and frozen. Get out of the city, you might mistake yourself for living in the tundra.

To survive Minnesota winters requires one to mindfully nurture a special resilience and odd admiration for the bitter cold. It's a skill that I work on every year. What keeps me smiling through the winters? Mostly small things...

1. My favorite coats: big pockets, high collars, horn buttons, elegant embroidery. It sounds trite, but lovely clothes can brighten my day! A nice coat is well worth the dollar.

2. Getting outside: I try to spend at least thirty minutes outside each day. A walk with Rachel, walking to the bus stop, going running (if it's above 20 degrees), walking on my lunch break at work. Once you get moving...the cold is a little more bearable.

3. Planning dinners with friends and dates with my boyfriend: Being with the people I love is the fastest way to warm up a room! Cheesy but true. Just last night, we invited a lovely pair of friends over for dinner, wine, and yuker (yuchre? yucher? Alas, it's a favorite Minnesota card game.)

4. If I didn't get a good walk or run outside, I go to the gym. I absolutely must work up a sweat to keep those endorphins sparking.

5. Drinking lot of tea, working on craft projects (like the enormous scarf I started two years ago...one day Mike will have a nice gift!), and reading reading reading with Rachel curled up next to me. Not a bad way to spend winter evenings.

6. Plan a trip to somewhere tropical! Oh boy! Central America!

I promise more soon from this tundra front...especially recipes. Lately, our dinner menus have been sorta unoriginal. However, we're having a holiday party in a few weeks so I need to get cracking on the menu and decor planning!

digging deep

2008-10-10T15:04:00.000-05:00

Every so often, I have one of those runs that I will never forget. Last Sunday, I had the great fortune of participating in the Twin Cities Marathon. Approaching the race, I decided to run only half of it (13.1 miles) due to some dizzy spells earlier in the sumemr and a crazy grad school schedule. I trained with this goal in mind.

Days before the race, the wheels in my mind started turning, "Maybe I can finish the whole thing...I feel good, healthy, strong...we'll see..." The night before the race, my mom took Mike and I out to dinner at my favorite pizza place, Punch Pizza. I had a vegetarian pizza with eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes. We shared a carafe of good merlot between the three of us. I wasn't worried about drinking a glass of wine or two before the race...I thought it might actually help me get some sleep!

I woke up around 5:45am the following morning. I needed to eat breakfast at least two hours before start time. I polished off a raisin walnut roll with cream cheese, a cup of coffee (a little caffeine won't kill anyone), and a large glass of water. Mike rolled out of bed, put on his church clothes, and drove me to the start line in downtown Minneapolis.

From that point on, I was lost in a crowd of runners. After the first mile, the drizzle turned into an all out storm- complete with thunder and lightening. Soaked, runners were dodging puddles, but the tone was still pretty positive. As for me, I was smiling for pretty much the whole race.

After running through Minneapolis downtown, we ran past the Walker Art Museum and through Loring Park neighborhood. Around Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Parkway, Lake Nokomis to the half marathon mark. At 14 miles, I saw my mom. Grinning, I told her I would see her in two more miles. At 16 miles, heading north on west mississippi parkway, I yelled, "two more miles!" At 18, "See you at the finish line!" She tried to get me to stop...but as she said later, "A firm grip couldn't have stopped you." It was true; I was doing great and I wanted the glory of the finish line!!!

Heading into St. Paul, the rain had stopped. From Lake Street Bridge to the cathedral, the marathon route was all uphill. Still, my legs were holding up just fine and I could still smile. I yelled at a bunch of Macalester student fans, "Go Mac!" They all exploded into cheers!

Making my way up Summit, I thought about Grandma Jean, Greg, my family, my boyfriend, my dogs, my friends (not necessarily in that order). I thought about Macalester, the beautiful old houses, the other runners, what it would feel like to cross the finish line. At mile 23, my legs started to feel wobbly, but I felt worse when I tried to walk. I trotted back into an easy pace and turned the corner. The great cathedral came into view, and then, in the distance, the Minnesota capitol. Running hard down the hill, I entered into the finishing zone. I could see Sara and my mom screaming for me. Pumping up a fist, I crossed the finish in 4:48. I couldn't believe it. An older runner placed the medal around my neck; I felt a little emotional to say the least. Mike came running in his church suit, hoping he could catch the finish. Unfortunately, he missed me but he did get a big, sweaty hug! I was so happy!

My mom, Mike, and I celebrated later (when I finally got a little appetite back) with my old time favorite, French Meadow carrot cake, a handful of candy pumpkins, and some red gatorade.

Nearly a week later, I can't wait for another race!!! I'm hooked. I feel more confident about my running, health, and athleticism in general. It's been hard to relax this week...I've been swimming and walking, but it just isn't the same as a good run. I'm going to start up slow this weekend as long as everything feels okay. I am planning on running a 5K in December, so that's my next training goal.

All in all, I'm simply thankful for such an amazing opportunity to discover a plethora of strength and heart that I didn't realize I had inside of me. I have so much to learn.

food to satiate the running heart

2008-10-02T18:47:00.000-05:00

I getting all amped up for the half on Sunday. This week I cut back my mileage severely. Though I feel good, I just want to get out there! I've always felt this way; I hated HATE that count down before the gun goes off. Still, I'm thrilled to run through my city (ah, my city, that feels so right). I simply cannot imagine a more perfect route: downtown, the chain of lakes, minnehaha creek parkway, lake nokomis...I end there, and the rest of the marathoners will keep trudging on. In the back of my mind I sometimes wonder if I'll want to keep going after thirteen miles. I told Mike to make sure I stop...I don't know if a firm grip at mile 13 will be necessary or not. We'll see on Sunday.
In the meantime, we've been making some stellar meals. As Mike pointed out, "We finally learned how to cook together." I don't know if I would exaggerate finally like its been decades...but, I do agree with him that we've vastly improved since our initial attempts to cook together. Our tastes and food histories are often on opposite ends of the spectrum; its outstanding we can find common ground at all.
Yesterday, we improvised a version of "Moosewood meets Cooking Light" spanakopita. You really can't go wrong with fresh feta, spinach, a couple eggs, a lot of butter, and phyllo dough. Steam the spinach, mixing it with the feta and eggs. Then, layer the phyllo dough, butter, and spinach in a casserole dish. Cook for 35 min at 375 or until the first layer is crispy brown. Cool for a bit and eat! I paired it with my nightly glass of merlot.

return to normalcy

2008-09-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

At last! A real dinner with wine, place mats, and my favorite dinner partner returned home from weeks of late night sound design rehearsals! Sharing meals with loved ones improves food satisfaction immensely. Further, the best meals are made by four hands or more; a belief I've held since my days at Slide Ranch, or as far back as the Macalester veggie coop.

Here's our Saturday night menu:

crusty brown bread with olive oil, fresh mozzarella, & heirloom tomatoes
whole wheat spaghetti with smoked prosciutto, fire-roasted red pepper, peas, & fresh basil
a glass or two of Chianti
chocolate macaroons

A trick we tried with the red-pepper: On a gas stove, turn over the iron burner so that it rests on top of the flame. Place half of a red pepper directly on the burner. Let it rest there until the ends have become burnt. When it looks pretty charred, remove from the burner and wrap in paper towel. After the pepper cools a bit, rub the paper towel against the pepper to remove the charred skin. What you are left with is the perfectly fire-roasted insides of a red pepper.

Now that our small home has returned to a more dependable routine, we are looking forward to successfully executing a weekly menu. This week? Stay posted.

summer rainstorm

2008-09-24T21:11:00.000-05:00

sunny day cafe

2008-09-15T09:11:00.001-05:00

I love to cook on a sunny yet cool Saturday afternoon. Especially after a long run and a hot shower. If the conditions are right, the food reflects that. I am trying to develop perspective though, so that dreary-messy-bad-day food tastes good too. I need to work on that. Here's a pizza I made last weekend with heirloom tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, and mozzarella. I do believe I haven't cooked (well, cooked significantly) since. I blame the weather.

The sun finally came out this morning after a rainy, sleepy weekend. Ray Ray and I went for an early morning jog. She was so happy...just pulled me along. Now she's fast asleep, and I can truly appreciate being a dog owner.

kicked out of the farmer's market!

2008-09-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

After an unproductive, lazy Friday, I woke up decidedly early this morning. With Ray Ray by my side and the sun shining, I headed to the midtown farmer's market. In the middle of buying some colorful heirlooms from a farmer friend, market authorities informed me that barking Ray Ray must be removed from the premises. I was disgruntled; a couple heirlooms scattered as Rachel knocked off my sunglasses. As I rearranged my bags, I was approached a second time. This time, the authorities didn't have the opportunity to mutter much. "I'm leaving!" I said. "Don't worry!" I was a bad mother. I looked longingly at the bread stand; the bakers' actually had some good looking loaves left! Usually, the bread baskets are empty by the time I arrive. As banished Ray Ray and I exited the market, a nice iron gate caught my eye. I'll tie her up! Brilliant! Defiant, I marched back into the market and bought my bread!

Home, I toasted the "kitchen sink" bread and paired it with jam and an article about Marc Jacobs in the New Yorker. He's a character. The bread was crusty, seedy, and had dried fruit including figs (or dates, not sure)! After cleaning up the apartment, I did my Saturday long run. Twelve whole miles! wooo

split pea soup

2008-09-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

Wednesday afternoon I made a pot of split pea soup. Boy, it was delicious. There is nothing better than homemade soup, crusty bread (though I long for a decent bread shop as you well know), cheese, and apple slices. I could eat this three times a day, all fall long. I may regret these words as soup is one staple my grad student budget can afford. Coming to think of it, I remember one miserable experience involving too much asparagus porridge. If you haven't experienced the affects of mass asparagus consumption, ask me or my fellow farmer friend about it. Oh dear. Still, I will appreciate mugs of homemade soup for as long as I can. Pair 'em with thick wool socks, MPR, and a cuddly dog to lap up your bowl's remains...perfect.

tapas y els quatre gats

2008-08-25T12:23:00.001-05:00

The film depicts Barcelona for Americans to the tee. Please note the array of olives and wine. Oh, the Mediterranean!
I feel this scene must have been filmed at Los Cuatro Gatos (Els Quatre Gats), a bar once frequented by Hemingway and friends.

bread

2008-08-22T11:23:00.000-05:00

At about seven pm on summer nights, a panoramic sunset appears as you drive across the marshall bridge into minneapolis. It is right about then that I yearn for a local artisan bakery on Lake Street. The closest place to get a decent dinner loaf is a grocery store. Rustica is far away. There isn't a Great Harvest in miles. And Breadsmith is just stale. Please, won't someone open a lovely bakery? Here are my dream bakeries (coincidentally, both are in san francisco). For further inspiration, ask me about my days at Wauwatosa's La Boulangerie.
Arizmendi! A cooperative bakery that also makes a pizza du jour.
This is a chain bakery but the long wood tables, the croissants, and the quiche always hit the spot and imagine myself in France.

summer's here for a week

2008-08-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

I have about 10 days to enjoy summer thoroughly. The plan:

1. Friday-Sunday at old friend's lake house in Wisconsin.
2. Monday: Minnesota State Fair with friends. Free outdoor concert!
3. Tuesday-Thursday: Mike & i visit mom in Wauwatosa and family in Illinois.
4. Friday: Leave for Cleveland with mom and Lucy.
5. Monday, labor day: fly home to Minneap.
6. Tuesday: Start Fall semester!

Yes, I have a schedule, but i'm pleased about that. What else? Well, running. Dinner at Beans & Barley. Terre andre with mom and mike. Water skiing and white wine. Visit yellow jacket and replenish 70's prep supply. must stop hipsters.

films i could see again and again

2008-08-20T12:50:00.000-05:00

preppy 70's. always right.
This film is filled with details I adore- bonne mamam jam, delpy's father, her ugly black glasses.
I am passionate about the raincloud necklace.
The home in this film is my dream house. I love all the the wood!

green gulch

2008-08-09T16:10:00.000-05:00

when i was living at slide ranch, i walked to this zen center on sundays. the walk itself was so peaceful. the gardens of green gulch are completely happy.

forever old role model

2008-08-07T20:20:00.000-05:00

the seward

2008-08-07T20:11:00.000-05:00

this photograph and the correlating article in nytimes reminds me of the streets around where i live...the seward...with wild flower gardens, half built additions, and babies in tow.

the point

2008-08-07T20:08:00.001-05:00

this blog is a journal of what i consider beauty filled

my summer house

2008-08-07T20:01:00.000-05:00

I can't wait to host big parties here...

In the meantime, I must befriend the current owner. He seems pretty cool.

Lou Doillon

2008-06-28T16:28:00.000-05:00

Newsboy meets coquette.

Also, read her little profile in NYtimes.

Maria

2008-06-28T16:25:00.001-05:00

Find me at the MIA.